You may have a flea infestation in your home but fleas do not burrow into the skin, although they can bite.
You may have scabies or chiggers.
Scabies is an infestation of the skin. It is most commonly caused by a tiny but scabies mites cannot fly.
Chiggers are microscopic bright red mites that are so small a person does not even notice they have been “bitten” until about 12 to 24 hours later when they develop a red itchy rash. Chiggers do not “bite” in the usual sense but instead attach themselves to the skin and inject their saliva to break down the skin cells to use as food. Chiggers can live for days on our skin unless washed or knocked off which is a great reason to always take a shower after spending the day outside in the woods or going on a hike.
Chiggers live in forests or grassy fields and thrive in moist areas such as those found around lakes or rivers. They climb or land on a hiker’s pants cuffs and shirt sleeves then find their way to a desired location on the skin. Chiggers prefer thin skin folds so bites are common around the ankles, backs of knees, armpits, crotches and belt lines.
The first symptom of chigger bites is itching which begins several hours after being bitten. The itch becomes increasingly intense and unrelenting. Later, the area develops flat or raised red pustules that can blister. It may take up to two weeks for the itching to stop and the skin to clear. But chiggers do not fly.
It's also possible you have bed bugs in your home.
We cannot say what is going on but a dermatologist can. Please schedule a visit.
Best,
Susan
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Hello Anon
Thank you for writing.
You may have a flea infestation in your home but fleas do not burrow into the skin, although they can bite.
You may have scabies or chiggers.
Scabies is an infestation of the skin. It is most commonly caused by a tiny but scabies mites cannot fly.
Chiggers are microscopic bright red mites that are so small a person does not even notice they have been “bitten” until about 12 to 24 hours later when they develop a red itchy rash. Chiggers do not “bite” in the usual sense but instead attach themselves to the skin and inject their saliva to break down the skin cells to use as food. Chiggers can live for days on our skin unless washed or knocked off which is a great reason to always take a shower after spending the day outside in the woods or going on a hike.
Chiggers live in forests or grassy fields and thrive in moist areas such as those found around lakes or rivers. They climb or land on a hiker’s pants cuffs and shirt sleeves then find their way to a desired location on the skin. Chiggers prefer thin skin folds so bites are common around the ankles, backs of knees, armpits, crotches and belt lines.
The first symptom of chigger bites is itching which begins several hours after being bitten. The itch becomes increasingly intense and unrelenting. Later, the area develops flat or raised red pustules that can blister. It may take up to two weeks for the itching to stop and the skin to clear. But chiggers do not fly.
It's also possible you have bed bugs in your home.
We cannot say what is going on but a dermatologist can. Please schedule a visit.
December 18, 2018 - 3:59pmBest,
Susan
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